Hog ring clinching device



Aug. 5, 1952 A. c. Ll'ND Erm..

HOG RING CLINCHING DEVICE Filed Dec. 12, 1949 III( l Ill 2 SHEETS-SHEET l INVENTORS ALVIN C. LIND ERNARD M. ZUHN ATTORNEYS Aug 5 1952 A. c; LlND ETAL ,l 2,605,467

I HOG RING CLINCHING DEVICE Filed DBC. 12, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 ma l ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 5, 1952 HOG RING CLINCHIN G DEVICE Alvin C. Lind, Detroit, and Bernard M. Zuhn, Mount Clemens, Mich., assignors to National Automotive Fibres, Inc., Detroit,vMich., a corporation of Delaware Application December 12, 1949, Serial No. 132,471

The present invention'relates to a hogrin'g` l clinching device.

It is an object of the Vpresent invention to provide a hog ring clinchng device characterized by its simplicity, eiiciency in operation7 and the economy with which it may be produced. Y Y

It is a further object of the present yinvention to provide clinching `apparatus adapted toengage a generally U-shaped clinching element, advance it into clinching position and thereafter to close the element into the form of a ring. Y

It is a further object of the` present Iinvention to provide a clinching apparatus having means for advancing a series of separate clinchingy elements into position to be engaged by a clinching mechanism. Y

It is a feature of the present invention to provide clinching apparatus employing a pair of clinching jaws mounted for reciprocation with andrrelative rocking-movement about a single axis on a s'lidable block. f n

4It is a further feature of the present invention to provide clinching apparatus comprising a power head, a slidable block actuated by said power head, clinching, jaws pvoted about a, single' axis on said block, and links connected to Asaid jaws and pivoted about a single axis on said head. v

It is a further feature of the present invention to provide clinching apparatus comprising a frame provided with an elongated slot having guide rails adjacent one end of the slot, and a slidable block mounted on said guide rails and shaped to be positioned in alignment therewith by introducing the frame into the end portion of said slot beyond said-guide rails.

Other objects and 'features of the Ainventio will become apparent as the description proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

rFigure l is a .front elevation vof the improved olnching apparatus.v l' Figure 2 is a plan view or" inFigure 1. Y

Figure 3 is a side elevation ofthe apparatus with parts in section.

Figure 3A is :a fragmentary View similar Ito Figure 9 `showing the parts in an intermediate the structure shown position. Y

Figure 3B is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 3 showingY the parts in the relationship which they assume upon completion of the clamping operation. Y g W Figure 4 is a section on the line 4 4, Figure 3. Figure 5 is a section on the line 5 5, Figure 1 With parts removed. i Y l Y 1.6 Claims. (C1. 1-1s7) I Figure 6 is a section on the line 6 8, Figure 3.` Figure 7 is( an enlarged section on the line 1 1, Figure 4. Y

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation showing the recess at the bottom of the clinching -fFigure 9 is a section on thegline 9 8, Figure 8. y

Alapcoverings to either the coil springs or to the wire frames of the` spring assemblies. In use p a series of generally C-shaped hog rings are advanced into position and are there engaged by clinching jaws whichV carry the hog rings into the position in which they are to be clinched. At such lastpos'itionthe jaws are suitably actuated'to close the hog ring in clinching relation.

*The apparatus comprises a casting I0 having a vportion formed toA provide a cylinder I2 and another portion formed to provide a pistol grip handle I4. The upper end of the cylinder I2 is closed by a removable plug I6. Located within the cylinder I2 is a piston I8 having secured thereto a piston rod 20. Means are provided for admitting air into the cylinder above the piston I8 and for exhausting air therefrom. This means comprises a drilled passage 22 extending through v the pistol grip handle I4 to a valve chamber 24 which contains a suitable air valve indicated generally at 26connect`ed to a trigger typevalve actuator 28. The valve 28 controls the iiow of air and when the valve is in a position corresponding to the inner position of the trigger 28,

air from a suitable external source passes through the passage 22, past the valve 2S, and through an elongated drilled passage 38 and a cooperating passage 32'into the interior of the cylinder I2. The lower end of the cylinder I2 is formed with an integral closure wall 34 provided with an air escape port 36. A compression spring 38 seats against the wall 34 and bears against the underside of the piston I8, thus returning the piston to the uppermost position when the valve 26 is in position corresponding to the outermost posi-y tion of the trigger 28. At this time the air passage 22 is closed and air may be exhausted'from the interior of the cylinder through the passages 32 and-30 and thence outwardly past the valve. While the details of the valve indicated generally at 26 form no part of the present invention, it may be observed that it includes a conical valve portion which is off its seat when the trigger 28 is in outer position, thus permitting air to escape from the cylinder l2 as the piston I8 is moved upwardly by the spring 3S. Air at this time flows through passages 32 and 35) to atmosphere past the conicalV portion of the Valve. Air in passage 22 is prevented from escape by the inner part oi' the valve.

The casting il at its lower side is provided When the trigger is pressed, the conical portion of' the valve seats and air iiows from passage 22 into passageV 3e and thence into the cylinder through passage 32.

with a threaded extension dii to which is secured an elongated frame or support member 42, the

upper portion of which is laterally offset as inseen in Figure 4, has a rearwardly extending projection 92 to which'is secured a generally curvilinear guide element ed, vattaching means for the guide element beingillustrated as comprising the screws'g; The forward end of the guide or supply element '9d extends through the opening 62.

inthe piercing element ,Sil as best seen in Figure 5, and provides space for the clinching rings 82 to pass therethrough. I

A series of independent clinching elements 82 is mounted on the guide or supply arm Se. According to the present invention these clinching rings A$3. in open Ycondition have a generally C- jshape Yas best illustrated in Figure 3. Furthermore, each of the clinching ringsis entirely separate from the adjacent rings so that they may be fedfreely into clinching position without recomprises an elongated at portion provided with a relatively deep groove'or channel it at one side thereon-'leaving a thin bottom wall el therein;Y as best seen in Figure 5; Adjacent the upper vend 'of the channelfd is an elongated opening 38. .An adjustable stop element '5G is located 'in the channel 45 and is Ysecured in adjusted position therein by a clamping screwr 5.2 which extends through the elongated opening |23. Stop velement 50 servesY opening 5d and forwardly from the front ofthe-r frame l2 'are provided a pair of ribs 56 best seen;

in Figure G. v n Y y n At its lower end the frame 6 2 hassecured thereto a piercing Aelement 58 having a pair of pointed projections 60 Vadapted to penetrate the ymaterial priojr to introduction of the open clinohing ring thereto. j Asbest illustrated inFigure 5, the piercing 'element 513 is Vsecured to the lower end ofthe frame 132 by'a plurality of screws S2. The piercing element 58 is provided with Vva transversely extending Aopening 6G of a size sucient to permit passage 'off open clinching rings therethrough.

' Mounted on the frame 22 for vertical reciprocation is a `slide 'et having a cross sectional shape best illustrated in Figure 6'. vThe slide 66 includes a vertically extending rib 68 adapted 'to beV receivedwithin the channel 48 in rear of thevribs` jaw members Td. The jaw members T4 are each pivote'd intermediate their ends tothe slide E6, the pivot being illustrated in the figures as comprising a bolt 76. 'At their lower vends the jaws 14 have clinchingportions I8 which are recessed at their inner surfaces asindicatedat 80 to receive the endfportions koigan open clinching ring S2. n

The piston rod 2is provided at its lower end with a Ahead Sil towhich a pair of` links are pivoted on va pivot pin'indicatedat 88.v The constructionr isjbest illustrated in Figure 1 in which the head 84 is illustrated as bifurcated 'and the links 86 are provided with apertured ends extending into the bifurcated head and receiving the pivot pin 88. The lower ends of the links v86 are each pivotedV to the upper ends of one of the clinching jaws ill, pivot pins for this purpose being illustrated at 9E. 1 Y

lAt its lower end the frameelement 52, as best Y quiring force to separate one ring from another in a series of rings.

1n order to provide for feed of the rings as they are sequentially applied, a telescoping pusher or feed arm 98 is provided, this arm being pivoted to a bracket ll `loy'a pivot pin 1&2 Aand provided with a coil biasing spring VH353 urging the pusher arm in clockwise position as seen in'Figure l',` to advance the series of rings 82 toward the clinching Vjaws le. At its outer end the arm 98 is providedwith a pusher shoe |56 which is pivoted to 'n the arm by'pivot pins indicated at ISS.

support 42.

- In order to load the guide orsupply arm fill. the feed armuSS'is swung upwardly to free the Vrshoe m6 from the supply'arm 951." A retaining spring H6 isrv provided comprising spaced arms between which lthe lfeed arm 98 is received and retained in position. At this time a, supply of open clinching rings may be introduced over the open end of the supply arm Srl. Thereafter, the shoe is introducedover the upper end of the supply arm and the Aaction of the springV |24 urges the arm and shoe in a directionto push the assembly of rings toward the clinching jaws. it is contemplated that the tool may be reversed if used by a left handed "operator-and accordingly, the

casting il? is provided with lugs H2 at both sides secured as desired. vf y Y rlhe slide 65 and the support 32 'are designed to facilitate assembly of the structure. In order to assemble the slide 56 on the support 42, the stop is moved upwardly in the slot 48. Thereafter, the rearwardly extending rib e8 of the slide 'is introduced int'o'the channel S above the upper ends .of the ribs 56, then moved downwardly to engage the rib 68 behind the ribs 55 -provided on the support 42. vThereafter the stop 50 may be adjusted downwardly andlocked in proper position by thescrew'52. 1

In use the hand tool is vmanipulated Aby Vthe operator to cause the pointed projections vSil to pierce the material to be clinched. VThereafter the trigger 28 is pushed admittingiair into-the cylinder l2 above the'piston i3.' Downward inotion of the piston I8 results in correspondingr downward motion of the slide` 66, force being applied from the piston headBIi tothe slide through the links 86 and the clinching' jaw members T4. At this time anopen clinching ring' 82 lis in position between the clinching ends 78 of the jaws and `will effectively prevent closing ofthe jaws during initial movement of the slide 6G. Continued downward movement of the slide 66 results in the'rib thereof engaging the bottom of the opening 54 provided through the This also arrests further downward movement of the slide 66. Thereafter further downward movementof theipistonI 1,8 moves head 84gwhich results 'in rocking the upperends of the jawimembersr'ld,outwardly and a corresponding inward rocking movementofthe lower clinching ends thereof, which closesthe clinching ring 82. Clinching, movement ofthe jaws is terminated by engagement between thehead 84 and the upper ends of the ribs 56 provided at theforward side of the support 42, which condition is illustrated in Figure' 3B.

Release of the trigger 28 cuts off the supply of air to the interior of the cylinder l2, and permits escape of air therefrom to atmosphere. At this time the spring 38 returns thepiston i8 upwardly which;l draws the slidev B l upwardly a until the rearwardly projecting rib 68 thereon engagesv the adjustable stop i). Further upward movement of the piston results in opening the Y jaws tortheir position shown in Figure 3.H Also, depending upon the resistancetomotion offered bythe pivot parts, the jawsgmay open before the slide 66 moves upwardly.v In anyevent, the parts come to rest as illustrated in the several iigures.

The inner surfaces of the .jaws 'I above the ring receiving recesses 82 are smooth and during downward movement ofthe jaws relative to the frame 42, these surfaceseng'age vthe foremost one ofthe rings 82. When the slide reaches its uppermost position, the recesses S register with the openings 62 and the foremost ring of the series on the supply arm 94 advances into the recesses 80 thus preparing the apparatus for the succeeding operation Y It will be apparent that the present apparatus is adapted to apply and clinch hog rings with extreme simplicity, accuracy, and rapidity. The provision of a single pivot point for both the clinching jaw members 14 and for the links 86 increases the effectiveness of the apparatus, while at the same time keeping its overall dimensions within reasonable limits. By this construction relatively great force isavailable for clinching the hog rings due to the toggle arrangement between the links and the upper ends of the jaw members. i' j Moreover, the construction ,is characterized by its extreme simplicityand the few number of parts required. Assembly ofthe parts into the operating apparatus is facilitated by a particular design which permits introduction of the slide into the guide ways provided by the ribs '56 on the supporting frame 42 and accidental removal of the slide 66 is prevented bythe provision of the adjustable stop 50.

The drawings and the foregoing specication constitute a description of the improved hog ring clinching device in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, thescope of` whichis indicated byfthe appended claims.

What we claim as our: invention is:

1. A clinching device comprising a "frame having a slideway thereon, a slide slidable on said slideway, an abutment on said frame limiting movementof said slide in one direction, a pair of jaws pivoted to said slide, a power actuator movable on said frame longitudinally of Vsaid slideway, each of said jaws having a rigid arm extending toward said actuator, a pair of links connecting said actuator to said arms, said links being connected to said arms such that motion of y said actuator in one direction establishes forces through said links tending to move said slide toward said abutment and such that motion a which provide increasing mechanical advantage during closure of said jaws.,k Y

2. Aclinching Adevice as dened in claim 1 inl which said frame carries a second abutment limiting Lmovement of said slide in the opposite direction, 4 whereby reverse movement of said actuator moves said slide into engagement lwith said second abutment to insure full opening movement of said jaws.

3.--A clinching `device as defined in claim 2 comprising means for carrying a series of open C-shaped rings, and means for advancing an open C-shaped ring into position between said jaws as said actuator completes its reverse movement.

4. In a clinching device, a frame having an elongated channel therein, inwardly extendingv guide rails adjacent one'endof the channel, the other end of the channel being wider than the space between said rails, aV slide having grooves in opposite sides for receiving said rails and supporting said slide in slidable relation longitudinally of the channel in said frame, the grooved portion of said slide being movable into the. channel lto position said grooves in alignment with said rails, clinch jaws pivoted to said slide, and linkage mechanism connected to said jaws for reciprocating said slide and pivoting said jaws.

5. In a clinching device, a,frarne comprising a plate having an elongated channel therein, a pair of rails extending forwardly from said plate and inwardly of the channel, one end of said rails being adjacent onefend of the channel and the opposite end of said rails being intermediate the ends of the channel, a rst abutment intermediate said rails at the said one end thereof, an elongated slot in said channel adjacent the other end thereof, a second abutment in said channel having clamping means extending through said slot, means for adjusting said second Yabutment longitudinally of said slot, a slide having a portion movable in thev channel of said frame, grooves in said slide slidab-ly receiving said rails, clinching jaws on said slide, an actuator for said jaws comprising ahead movable parallel to the slot in said frame, links connecting said head and jaws, means to move said slide between said iirstand second abutments, said rails being in the path of movement of said head, the ends of said rails constituting a stop for limiting movement of said head in one direction.

6. In a clinching device of the class described, a slide mounted for reciprocation, a stopI in the path of movement of said slide, a pair of clinching jaws, a single pivot support on said slide for mounting both of said jaws intermediate their ends for rocking movement, a head spaced from said slide, means for reciprocating said head in the pathof movement of said slide, a pair of links pivoted concentrically to said head at one end and pivotally connected to the upper end of said jaws at the other end.

7. Inra clinching device of the class described,

asoma? a slide mounted fforireciprocation, a first stop in the path of movement of said slide, a pair of clinching jaws', aV singley pivot support'onls'ai'd slide for `mounting. both` of said jaws intermediate Ytheir ends for-rocking movement, ahead spacedV from-said fslide, vfor-1recip-rocating vsaid v head 'in-the path "ofimovement of said-slide, pair' of links pivoted'concentrically to said head at one end and pivotally connected to theV upper` end of said'jaws at the other end, a second stop eLA bottom Wall adjacent the other-'end thereof, a

stop element mountedin saidchannelu adjacent said `other end thereof ifo'radjustment longitu- A dinally of 'said channel,-V clamping Tme'ansi carried in the path of movementof said head lpositioned to limit movement of said head toa predetermined amount after arrest of said slideby en,- gage'inent with said rst stop.

8. A clinching Ydevice comprising a framehaving an elongated channel at one side thereof,

saidchannel having a bottom wall adjacent-one end'thereof, parallel ribs adjacent the other end of said recess extending forwardly of -said frame' andY inwardly Vof said channel so as to partially overlie the front of said'channel, said ribsbei-ng parallel to said channei,-said bottom Wall having-an elongated slot therethrough, a stop yeiement slidable in said channel for adjustment-to different positions, a clamping member carried i9. A ciinching device Vcomprising a frame having an elongated channel atl one side thereof,

guide ribs partially overlying said lchannel 'adjacent one vend thereof, said channel having a bott'om'fvvail adjacent Ythe other end thereof',V a stop element mounted in said channel adjacent said other end thereof for adjustment longitudinally of said channel, clamping meanscarried byfsaid stop element, said Wall having a slot through which said clamping means extend, a

slide having an elongated rib Amovable into 'said channel at the said other end thereof, and mov- Y able longitudinally of said channel into position Vbehind the ribs of said frame, said step serving as an adjustable abutment to limit movement of said slide relative to said frame in one direc-V by said stop element, said wall having a slot'y through which Vsaid clamping means extend, slide having an elongatedr rib movable into said 'channel at `the said other end thereof, and movable longitudinally of said channel into position behind the ribs of said frame, 'said stop serving as an VadjustableV abutment to limit movement of said slide relative to said frame Vin one direction, the said one end of said channel serving as a stop to limit movement of said slide in the other direction, clinching jaws on said slide, 'and toggle mechanism for actuating said jaws.

ll. A clinching device comprising a frame having an elongated channel at one side thereof. guide ribs partially overlying said 'channel Vadjacent one end thereof, said channel having a by said 'stop element, said Wall .havingi a slot:

through vwhich said clamping means extend;Y Va slide having an elongated 'rib movable into said channel at the said othe'r end thereof, and imovable longitudinally of 'said'channel into position behind the ribs of said frame, said;slide having flanges engageable with thefront surface's'of the ribs on said frame, said stop serving as an ad-y justable abutmentto limit movement of 'said slide' relative to said frame in one direction, clinching jaws on said slide, and toggle mechanism for actuating said jaws. A

- 12. A ciinching device comprising a frainehavingV an velongated channel at one sideth'ereof,V guide ribs partially-overlying said 'channel fadjacent one end thereof, Vsaid channelhaving abottom wall adjacent` the other end thereof, "a stop element mounted-iin said-channel adjacent said other end thereof for adjustment longitudinally of said channel, clamping means carried Y by said stop element,v said Wall having a slot through Which said clamping means extend, la

channel at the said otherY end thereof, and movable longitudinally of said channel into n-rio'sitio'n behind the ribs of said ltr-ame, said 'stop Aserving as an adjustable abutment to limit movement of said slide relative'to said framein one direction, the said one end of said channel Vserving as a stop to limit movement of said slide in the other direction, clinching jaws on said slide, and toggle chanism for actuating said V,ja-Ws, said toggle mechanism comprising a movable head, `links interconnectingsaid head and said jaws, the ends of said guide ribs intermediate thefends of said channel being located in thepath of movement of said head to limit movement Yof, lsaid head in one-direction.' Y i v i', Y

, 13. A clinchi-n'g device comprising a frame, a slideway on said framaya slide slidableon said slideWay, abutments on said frame limiting` movement of Asaidrslide inV both directions, Ya--pa'ir 'if levers pivoted intermedi-ate theirv ends to' said slide, each of'said levers'ha-ving a elinching jaw at `one end thereof, a power actuating member movable on said frame-parallel to said slidevfay, a pair of links, a single, pivot means connecting said links at oneend to said member and pivot means pivota-lly connecting said links at their other ends to the en'ds of' said levers remote from the jaws thereon, the pivot connections between said links and levers being v disposed laterally from the path :of movementof said actuating member, said links 'and levers constituting the driving 'connection between vsaid actuating niemberV fand said slidevvlrer'ebyv the resistance to closing movement 'of said jaws provided by an open clinching' element `therebetween prevents closure of said jaws 'andresults in motion of said slide. upon movement. of said actuator member in jaw 'closing direction until rsaid slide is movedj im@ engagement with one of said abutments, and thereafter closes 's'aid'j'aws Y A 14. A clinchin'g device. comprising 'ya frame, 'a slideway on said frame, a slide slidable onsaid slide'wayyabutinents 'on said frame lengageable by said slide to y'limit its inove'm'ent in said slide- Way, a pair of levers, single'pivotfineans onsaid' slide mountingfbeth of said levers lfo-r'swinging movement about anV 'airis --intermedia'te 'their ends,. each of said levers having-'a clinching jaw at 'one first pivot connections such that movement of 'Y said actuator toward said slide tends to rotate said levers inl clinching relation.

15. A clinching device comprising a frame, a vertical slideway on said frame, a slide slidable vertically on said slideway, abutments on saidA frame engageable with said slide to limit its m0- tion in said slideway between an upper position and a lower clinching position, a pair of levers,

a single lever pivot means on said slide mounting both of said levers for swinging movement about an axis intermediate their ends, clinching jaws at the lower ends of said levers, a power actuator on said frame directly above said lever pivot means and movable vertically thereon, the upper ends of said levers extending upwardly and outwardly from said lever pivot means, a pair of links pivoted at their lower ends to the upper ends of said levers, single link pivot means pivotally connecting the upper ends of both of said links to said actuator, said link pivot ,means being disposed directly above said lever pivot means,

said links extending downwardly and outwardlyv from said link pivot means, whereby downward movement of said actuator applies forces through said links tending to rock said levers and to cause downward motion of said slide. 1

16. In a clinching device, a pair of clinching jaws, a frame on which said jaws are mounted for sliding movement in separated position to carry an open hog ring into clinching position and for rocking movement to move said jaws toward each other to clinch the ring, a slideway on said frame, a slide movable along said slideway;

a pair of levers on said slide, a single pivot on said slide supporting both of said levers for 10 swinging movement about the'axis of .said pivot intermediate the ends of said levers, one of said jaws being carried at one end of each of said levers, a power actuator on said frame movable parallel to said slideway beyond one end thereof, the ends of said levers remote from said jaws extending toward said actuator and diverging out.

wardly fromV their pivot axis, a pair vof links pivoted to the ends of said levers nearer to said actuator, said links converging inwardly. from the points of connection with said levers, a single pivot on said actuator connecting both of said links thereto, said links and levers constituting the sole connection between said slide and said actuator, an abutment on said frame limiting sliding motion of said slide in the direction away from said actuator, the aforesaid disposition of said links being effective to apply a force to said levers upon movement of said actuator toward said slide tending to rock said levers in a direction .to move said jaws toward each other, the

aforesaid disposition of said links and levers being effective to apply'a force tending to move said slide along said slideway toward said abutment upon movement of said actuator toward said slide, said jaws being shaped to receive an open hog ring when in separated position which prevents rocking of said jaws into clinching relation upon movement of said actuator toward said slide until movement of said slide is arrested by engagement of saidslide with said abutment.

ALVIN c. LIND. BERNARD M. zUHN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,054,548 Matveyeff Sept. l5, 1936 2,174,152 Curtiss Sept. 26, 1939 2,182,594 Matveyei Dec. 5, 1939 2,268,102 Attula Dec. 30, 1941 2,299,858 Sorenson Oct. 2'7, 1942 

